Control apparatus



Jan. 28, 1941. s PITT HAL 2,229,988

CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. I.

INVENTORS S. PITT 6'52 554 L. 0. REICHELT ERJIW ATTORNEY Jan. 28, 1941. s. PITT ETAL 2,229,988

CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3. 50

ATTORNEY Jan. 28, 1941.

S. PITT ErAL CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 8, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS S. PITT L. O. REICHELT (ERMW A TTORNZY Patented Jan. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTROL APPARATUS Samuel Pitt, Westfleld, and Lester 0. Beichelt, Cranford, N. 1., assignors to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of N ew York Application October 8, 1937, Serial No. 168,030

15 Claims.

m be driven in to and fro motion, either in continuously recurrent cycles or in single cycles at will, with accurate control of excursion to and fro.

An object of the present invention is to provide accurate and reliable means to control the 15 to and fro motion of a reciprocatory member.

With the above and other objects in view, one

embodiment of the invention contemplates the combination with a member to be driven in cyclically repeated to and fro reciprocation and varigo able means to drive the member, of an electric motor to eifect variation of the variable driving means, switches actuable by the reciprocable member at the limits of its excursion to automatically control the motor, and manually op- 15 erable switches to control the motor at will.

Other objects and features of the invention will appear from the following detailed description of two embodiments thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which the 30 same reference numerals are applied to identical parts in the several figures and in which Fig. 1 is a partly diagrammatic view in elevation of a distributor mechanism for use in strand handling apparatus and constructed in accord- 35 ance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram for the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detached planview partly in section of the adjustable rotary cam control device;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view thereof partly in section;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic end view of a cabling machine in which the invention is embodied in 5 another form, and

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram for a modified form of Fig. 5.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 discloses the invention applied in the control of so a distributor mechanism as used in many strand combining apparatus. In the present instance it may be assumed that a cable or other strand coming from some strand handling apparatus, not

shown, passes through a guide member 23 and 55 thence to a vertically disposed take-up reel, also not shown, to be wound thereon. Function of the guide member 23 is to carry the cable or strand up and down to distribute it in even, closely wound layers on the reel.

The guide .23 is mounted on a nut 21 which is driven up or down by a threaded shaft 22 rotatably supported in a stationary frame or standard 24 mounted on the floor or other suitable support. A guide rail 23 engages the nut 2| slidably in a notch or perforation in the nut keep the nut from rotating.

A gear 23 rigid on the shaft 22 is driven by a gear 21 rigid on a shaft 28 suitably mounted to rotate on the frame or support 24. The shaft 23 is driven by a friction disc 23 secured on the lower end of the shaft 23, and the disc 23 is driven in turn at variable speed and in either direction by a coacting disc 33 whose periphery runs against the flat under face of the disc 23 and in contact with that face always at some 2 point. of a diameter thereof. 1.

Thediso 33 is mounted on a longitudinally slotted shaft 3| which lies below and diametrically across the under face of the disc 23. The disc 33 is longitudinally slidable on the shaft 3! but is compelled to rotate therewith by a key or stud on thedisc 33 extending into the slot of the shaft 3|.

The shaft 3| is driven by some power means 30 to run at constantrotational speed and thus 30 drives the shaft 22 in a direction and at a speed depending upon the position of the disc 33 on the shaft 3| relative to the disc 23. r

The disc 33 may be shifted along the shaft 3| by means of a yoke 32 whose arms lie one on each side of the disc 30 and whose body is mounted on and reciprocated by a threaded shaft 33 rotatably mounted parallel to the shaft 3| in appropriate supports. The yoke 32 is kept from rotation on the shaft 33 by a guide rod 23. 40

The shaft 33 may be driven, tcshift the yoke 32 and thereby the disc 3|, by a motor 34, here shown as a three phase, induction, squirrel cage motor, but which may be of any suitable construction. The motor 34 is here shown for simplicity as directly connected to the shaft 33, but suitable reduction gearing may be interposed between the motor and the shaft if desired.

A control device, generally indicated at 35 and shown on an enlarged scale and in detail in Figs.

I 3 and4, may be conveniently mounted on the motor 34, as shown in Fig. 1, to be driven by the motor through suitable gears 31 on the motor shaft 36 and 33 on the control device shaft 33. In Figs. 3 and 4, the control device is shown with the housing removed, which housing appears in Fig. 1-. l

The shaft 39 (see now Figs. 3 and d) is iour nailed in antifriction bearings in a pair of supports 4B and Lil, and has keyed or'pinned to it a pair of identical rotary cams 42 and 63 preferably of insulating material such as hard fibre. A pair of symmetrically identical bevel gears 44 and 45 is mounted on the shaft 33 to be independ= ently freely rotatable thereon and both engage with a. bevel gear 46 pinned to a shaft 47! journalled to stand at right angles to the shaft 39. A worm gear 48 is also secured on the shaft 4? and engages with a worm shaft 43 havinga knurled head 50 by manipulation of which the shaft 49, worm gear 48, shaft ll and bevel gear 46 may be actuated to rotate the gears 44 and 45 to adjust the relative angular position of these last two gears with respect to each other.

Identicallysymmetrically similar discs 5|! and 5| are mounted on and keyed to the gears 44 and 45. respectively to be rotated by the gears. Disc 5| has a peripheral lateral flange with two peripheral grooves in which are positioned metal slip ring contacts 53 and 55, which are electrically engaged by fixed position spring contacts 51 and 59 respectively. Onthe inside of the flange of disc 5| is mounted a pair of spaced contacts BI and 63 of which 5| is connected to ring 53 and 63 to ring 55. A spring pressed push button contact 65 is also mounted on the flange of the,

disc 5| in position to normally connect contact 6| to contact 63, and to be moved exceptionally by the cam 43 to break a circuit from 6! 1:053.

Similar parts mounted on the disc 50 enable the cam 42 to control connection between slip rings 52 and 54 and thus between the fixed contacts 56 and 58. As these parts are identical with those just discussed in structure and arrangement it is not thought necessary to show or describe them.

Two limit switches (it and 55 are mounted on the standard 24 in position to be actuated by adjustable members and respectively,

(.3 I; mounted on the nut A double, manual control switch 68$, is also shown as mounted on the standard for convenience, although this 'switchmay be located at any other convenient site. and 79, actuated by solenoids i2 and respectively, are located in any convenient site not shown inFig. 1.

Assume now that the apparatus is in operation with the parts in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and with the nut 26 moving upwardly. The shaft 3| is rotating at all times clockwisa'as seen from the left, at constant speed, and hence the disc 39 is rotating in the same direction at all times and at constant'speed. The motor 34 is out 01f from power since both switches i9 and E! are open. Hence the shaft 33 and therefore the forked yoke 32 are stationary, and the d 30 remains in the position shown. Hence the disc 3!! drives the disc 23 and gear 21 at constant speed and counterclockwise, as seen from above. The gear 21, therefore, drives the gear 26 and shaft 22' clockwise at constant speed, and the screw v shaft 22 drives the nut 2| and strand guide 20 upwards at constant speed, the thread on the shaft 22 being a right hand helix.

This state of afiairs continues until the control member 66 on the nut shifts the switch 34 from the solid line position of Fig. 2 to the dotted line Two self-lockingiour contact switches from the power supply main 15 through terminal we, branch point H, solenoid l2, terminals 54, 52, branch point 78, terminals 644, 642,, terminals SM, 655, branch point 19, and up and back to terminal hi5 and supply main it, thus energizing solenoid l2 to close switch l0. Immediately this 'is done a second circuit through solenoid H2 is open whenever the cam 42 breaks the connection from 52 to 54.

Theswitch 10 having been thus closed, power flows from the mains l4, l5, E6 to the motor 34 and drives the latter counterclockwise as seen from the left in Fig. l. Thereby the disc 30 is shifted to the right thus slowing, stopping and reversing the disc 29. Hence the nut 2| slows and stops its upward motion and begins to move steadily down again, thus releasing the switch 64 to spring back to the full line position of Fig. 2. At the same time the motor 34 begins to drive the shaft 33 counterclockwise, as seen in Fig. 2,

thus causing the cam 43 to allow closure at 53, 55 and after a. predetermined interval (dependent upon the angular relations of the cams 42 and 43 as determined by previous adjustment with the knob 50) causing the connection at 52, 54 to be broken. Breaking this latter connection breaks the second circuit through solenoid l2 described above (the first having already been broken at 644, 642 by reversal of the switch 64) and the switch Ml opens, stopping the motor 34 and therefore the traversing motion of the disc 30. The device 35 stops, when the motor 34 stops, with the connection 52, 5 4 open and the connection 53, b5 closed.

The nut 26 then continues its steady motion down until the mem or 5?? throws the switch 65. It is not thought necessary to trace out, in detail the chain of effects thus caused, as this is substantially like that just described except that the ultimate result is to restore the status shown in Fig. 2 with the nut 2i moving up at constant speed.

The general result is that the guide 22 is thus traversed in regular reciprocal motion without further attention so long as the shaft 3| is driven and the mains i4, '55, F6 are energized. The upper and lower limits of the excursion of the nut 2| can be adjusted by adjustment of the members 66 and 6?, or by mounting the switches 54 and 55 adiustably on the standard 24. The speed of the nut 2| can be regulated by adjustment of the discs 50 and 5| by the mob 50 to vary the limit of excursion of the disc 3|! along the shaft 3|, the nearer the limit positions of the disc 3|! on either side of the axis of the shaft 28 to that shaft, the more rapid being the normal motion of the nut between reversals.

Supposing that it be desired to wind :3. prescribed length of strand or cable on' a. reel, the

position. When this is done, a, circult'is closed switch. or switch 33 will, then start the nut 2| toward its lower or upper limit of travel as may be desired. It is not thought necessary to describe these operations in detail/as switch 08 is electrically in parallel and interchangeable 6 with switch 64 and switch 60 with switch 06.

In the embodiment disclosed in Fig. 5, a machine, whose nature is irrelevant here, is enclosed in a safety cage I26 which has a reciprocable heavy door I30 slidable arcuately over the surface 10 of thecage. Here the motor 34 through its shaft 33 and suitable means such as gearing I3! is used to drive the door I30 up to open and down to close. The electrical connections are identical with those of Fig. 2 except that switches 64 and i6 06 and their connections are omitted.

Hence, with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 5, closing of the switch 69 energizes the motor as before to raise the door I30 until the device 35, driven by the motor, cuts the power supply to the motor after the latter has run for a predetermined number of revolutions, i. e. has raised the door a predetermined distance. Similarly, when the door is open closure of the switch 60 will cause the door to be brought back to its initial position.

In Fig. 6 is shown a wiring diagram for the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Fig. 5, modified to be operated with direct instead of alternating current. A D. C. motor I34 is substituted for the A. 0. motor :4 of Fig. 5. A double throw, single pole switch I68, I64, I69 is'shown replacing the former switch 60, 69. Two contact, solenoid controlled switches I10 and III replace the former four contact switches I0 and 'II and 35 solenoid controlled circuit-breakers I80 and I8I are added to the system as shown.

With the mechanical parts as shown in Fig. 5,

i. e. with the door I down or closed, the electrical parts will be in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6, and everything will be at rest.

Reversal of the switch I68, I64, I69, will then cause the door to be opened and to come to rest in the open position. In the light of the description of the electrical system of Figs. 1 and 2 it is not believed to be necessary here to trace out in detail the active and inert circuits of Fig. 6' occasioned by reversal of the switch. The electrical operation will be obvious from the diagram 50 of Fig. 6.

The apparatus of .Figs. 1 and 2 is shown as employing the old and well known variable speed transmission comprising a pair of relatively slidable friction discs. This is the simplest such de- 55 vice for disclosure in a drawing. The invention, however, is not limited to the employment of this particular type of transmission. It may well employ any one of a variety of equivalent variable speed transmission devices which are' suitable and well known, in which the speed range runs through zero and the speed is controlledby a member actuable by the motor 34 or I34.

Furthermore it will be .evident to those skilled in the art, that while the device 35 is constructed 05 to break the two circuits controlled by it at suitably adjustable points of its revolution, it could, by mechanical reversal of its contacts, be equally well constructed to make the said circuits at these positions.

70 The embodiments of the invention herein disclosed are illustrative only and can be modified and departed from in many ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as pointed out in and limited solely by the ap- 16 pended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus having a reciprocable member and variable means to drive the member, means to control the motion of the member, comprising an electric motor to vary the variable 8 driving means, means actuable by the member at predetermined positions to start the motor, and means actuated by the motor to stop the motor.

2. In an apparatus having a reciprocable member and means to drive the member adiustably 10 variable as to speed of the member, an electric motor to vary the variable driving means, elements adjustably carried 'by the member to start the motor and adjustable relative to the member to vary the excursion of the member, and means ll actuated by the motor to vary the speed of the member.

3. In an apparatus having a reciprocable member and a constant speed driving means, means interposed between the member and the driving 20 means to couple the member to the driving means and adjustably variable to vary the speed of the member, an electric motor to alter the adjustment of the coupling means, means actuable to start the motor during-each reciprocating cycle 25' of the member, and means actuated by the motor to stop the motor after a predetermined adjustment of the coupling means has been made.

4. In an apparatus having a reciprocable member and a constant speed driving means, means 30 interposed between the member and the driving means to couple the member to the driving means and adiustably variable to vary the speed of the member, an electric motor .to alter the adjustment of the coupling means, means actuable by 86 the member to start the motor during each reciprocating cycle of the member, and means actuated by the motor to stop the motor after a predetermined adjustment of the couplingmeans has been made. l0

5. In an apparatus having a reciprocable member and a constant speed driving means, means interposed between the member and the driving means to couple the member to the driving means and adjustably variable to vary the speed of the (6 member, an electric motor to alter the adjustment of the coupling means, means actuable to start the motor during each reciprocating cycle of the member, and adjustable means actuated by the motor to stop the motor after a predetermined adjustment of the coupling means has been made to vary the speed of the member.

6. In an apparatus having a reciprocable member and a constant speed driving means, means interposed between the member and the driving means to couple the member to the driving means and adjustably variable to vary the speed of the member, an electric motor to alter the adiustment of the coupling means, means actuable by the member to start the motor during each rew ciprocating cycle of the member, and adjustable means actuated by the motor to stop the motor after a predetermined adjustment of the coupling meanshas been made.

'7. In an apparatus having a reciprocable member movable at variable speeds, variable means to move the member, an electric motor to vary the moving means to vary the speed of movement of the member, control means for the motor comprising means actuable to start the motor, and means to stop the motor including a rotary switch actuated by the motor to discontinue variation of the speed of movement of the member.

8. In an apparatus having a reciprocable member movable at variable speeds, variable means 76 'to move the member, an electric motor to vary the moving means to vary the speed oi movement or the member, control means tor the motor comprising means actuable to start the motor, and means to stop'the motor including a to switch actuated by the motor and adjustable to stop the motor to discontinue variation oi the speed oi movement 01' the member after on red-- justably predetermined number of revolutions thereof. 7

ii. In an apparatus having a reciprocable mem her and a constant speed driving means, interposed means including associated elements to couple the member toihe driving means to cause movement of the member, an electric motor to vary the relative association oil the elements to vary the speed oi movement of the member, means actuabie to start the motor, means actuated by the motor to stop the motor, and means eillected by the last named means to vary the direction of movement of the ember.

iii; In an apparatus having a reciprocable member and a constant speed driving means, interposed means including associated elements to couple the member to the driving means, an electric motor operatively connected to the elements, means to energize the motor at predetermined intervals to cause relative movement of the elements to change the direction of move ment of the member, and means to vary the length of time of the energized intervals 01 the motor to vary the speed or the member.

11. In an apparatus having a reciprocable member movable at variable speeds, variable means to move the member, an electric motor to vary the moving means to vary the speed of movement of the member, an electrical circuit for the motor, and control means for the motor comprising a rotary cam driven by the motor and contact members included in the circuit and actuable by the cam to open the circuit to deenergize the motor to discontinue variation of the speed of movement of the member.

12. In an apparatus having a reciprocablet contact members included in the circuit and'actuable by the cam and adjustable relatively to the cam to be actuated thereby only alter an adjustably predetermined rotation oi the cam to open the circuit to deeuergize the motor to discontinue variation of the speed oi movement or the member, I

13. In an apparatus having a reciprocable member movable at variable speeds, variable 5 means to move the member, an electric motor to vary the moving means to vary the speed oi movement of the member, an electrical circuit for the motor, control means for the motor com- I prising a rotary adjustable support associated 3 with a cam, and contact members included in the circuit and mounted on the support and actuable by the c to open the circuit to deenergiae the motor to discontinue variation of the speedoi movement of the member.

14. In an apparatus having a reciprocable member movable at variable speeds, variable means to move the member, an electric motor to vary the moving means to vary the speed oi movement of the member, electrical circuits for go the motor, control means for the motor comprising a pair oi rotary cams to be driven by the motor, a rotary support associated with each cam, and contact members included in the circuits mounted on each support and actuable by 25 the associated cam to control the circuits to the motor, the contact members on one support being in one of the circuits tor controlling the forward motion of the motor and the contact memhere on the other support being in another 01 80 the circuits for controlling the reverse motion oi the motor.

15. In an apparatus having a reciprocable member movable at variable speeds, variable means to move the member, an electric motor 88 to vary the moving means to vary the speed of movement of the member, electrical circuits for the motor, control means for the motor comprising a pair of rotary cams to be driven by the motor, a rotary support associated with each 40 cam, and contact members included in the circuits mounted on each support and actuable by the associated cam to control the circuits to the motor, the contact members on one support being in one of the circuits for controlling the forward '45 motion of the motor and the contact members on the othersupport being in another ofthe circuits for controlling the reverse motion oi the motor, and the supports being rotarily adjustable to vary the positions of the two sets of contact members 50' 

